Two Boise State defenders done for the season

Boise State is still in the thick of the chase for a Mountain West championship, but season-ending injuries to two defensive starters made the task a little more difficult. Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin confirmed this week that defensive tackle David Moa and safety DeAndre Pierce will not play again this season because of injuries. A calf injury has plagued Moa much of the season. He missed the first two games of the season because of a that problem and then missed two of the next three games because of the same problem. Moa started 24 games the past two seasons. He was a first-team All-Mountain West selection in 2016, and was named to the second-team all-conference squad last season. Pierce suffered a lacerated spleen in the Sept. 29 win over Wyoming and missed last Saturday's loss to San Diego State as result. He has now been declared out for the rest of the season. Before the injury Pierce was leading the Broncos in tackles with 23. "Those are two big ones," Harsin said. "Losing both of those guys, they are really good players and both leaders on our defense and leaders on our team." Boise State is 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference heading into Saturday's game at Nevada.